'Flo' Orimolade returns, Begelton re-signs on big day for Stampeders
Calgary club trades away all-star linebacker Cam Judge in order to shake up team and improve moving forward
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Reggie Begelton must believe in the ride ahead for the Calgary Stampeders.
Why else would the veteran receiver agree to a one-year extension beyond the contract he’s already inked through the end of next football season?
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'Flo' Orimolade returns, Begelton re-signs on big day for Stampeders Back to video
“I believe wholeheartedly in our team’s potential,” said Begelton, who — thanks to the pact announced Friday — is now under term with the Stampeders through the 2026 Canadian Football League season.
“I am thrilled to extend my journey with the Calgary Stampeders and contribute to our quest for success,” continued Begelton. “And I can’t wait to bring our fans the victories we all strive for.”
But signing the three-time CFL all-star wasn’t the only news from Stamps camp Friday.
They made a major deal to bring back talented defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade, an American considered one of the best pass-rushers in the league.
The Stamps attained the player known as ‘Flo’ — a star one at that — in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts, sending all-star Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge to the Boatmen in return.
“Flo is a premier pass-rusher and a player we believe will make us better,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson.
The Stamps already know Begelton makes them better.
The hands-man was named a CFL all-star for the third time in his career in 2024 as he started all 18 games at slotback and finished tied for second in the league with 92 receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 1,150. He ranked second in the CFL with 34 catches for second-down conversions. Begelton had four touchdown catches as well as a two-point conversion reception and cracked the 100-yard mark in receiving yards on three occasions.
The Lamar University alum surpassed a pair of career milestones — 5,000 receiving yards and 400 catches — during the 2024 campaign and was voted by teammates as the winner of the Presidents’ Ring award for demonstrating excellence on and off the field.
“Reggie has been one of our most consistent and productive players,” Dickenson said. “And we’re excited to extend him through the 2026 season.”
Begelton first signed with the Stampeders in 2017 and returned to Calgary in 2021 after a stint with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers.
In 86 career games for the Stamps, he has 421 catches — eighth all-time in franchise history — for 5,595 yards and 28 TDs. In four playoff contests, Begelton has 22 catches for 319 yards and two majors.
The day’s news is all part of a master off-season plan by the Red and White to improve after two straight seasons of unacceptable results, including the 2025 5-12-1 debacle that kept the club from the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.
But to bring back Orimolade for a second tour of duty in Calgary, the Stamps give up one of the CFL’s top linebackers.
Acquired in a 2022 trade with the Argos, Judge played 52 regular-season contests over three seasons with the Stampeders and amassed 241 tackles, eight sacks, seven interceptions, five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
“Cam was a great soldier for us,” Dickenson said. “We wish him well.”
Prior to signing with the Stampeders in 2018, Orimolade starred with the NCAA Dartmouth Big Green and attended training camp with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.
In 39 collegiate games over four seasons, he recorded 143 total tackles, including 35 tackles for losses, and also accumulated 23.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and eight pass breakups. The career sack total is the second highest in Big Green history.
He was the Ivy League’s defensive player of the year in 2016 and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the best defensive player in Division I after recording 83 tackles including 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and three pass breakups.
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